Waterman faces farmers’ ire

The Krishna River Conservation Yatra led by Magsaysay award winner Rajendra Singh along with noted professor Vikram Soni faced the wrath of farmers in Amaravati capital villages here on Friday. The local farmers opposed the team members at Undavalli and Neerukonda.

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Amaravati: The Krishna River Conservation Yatra led by Magsaysay award winner Rajendra Singh along with noted professor Vikram Soni faced the wrath of farmers in Amaravati capital villages here on Friday. The local farmers opposed the team members at Undavalli and Neerukonda.

Rajendra Singh tells protesters that his yatra is for protection of Krishna river not against Amaravati

Tension prevailed for some time, when the farmers led by local representatives including TDP leaders blocked the road at Undavalli, when the members tried to visit the lift irrigation scheme which is under construction on Kondaveeti Vaagu.

Similarly, some group of farmers stopped their convoy at Neerukonda village outskirts by raising slogans against their visit. They damaged the flexes which were setup on Yatra vehicle of Rajendra Singh. The police foiled the attempt of farmers to attack the convoy. However, the police changed route direction thus the team members of Rajendra Singh reached to Tulluru, where they interacted with local people.

On this occasion, Rajendra Singh explained them his plans as were not against to Amaravati capital city. He also said that his intention is to protect rivers.

On the other hand, the local farmers have too explained how they have voluntarily given their lands to Amaravati capital city under land pooling scheme.

They said that nearly the 25,000 farmers have given their lands to state government without any objection. Only the owners of 2000 acres were misleading the people like members of Conservation Yatra, they lamented.

Rajendra Singh also said that just he wants to see the developments including how the river was being protected by the government. He said that he would submit some precautionary measures to be taken to state government to protect Krishna river.